UW-Madison’s Union South will undergo a complete reconstruction in order to provide a better area for students to meet, study, socialize and relax.

The purpose is to fix the idea that “Union South has no heart [in that] it has nothing to draw people who would not otherwise venture into the building,” Dan Cornelius, the union vice president for project management, said.

Plans for the new building began in 2006, when students voted to increase segregated fees—those paid by all UW-Madison students in addition to tuition—to help pay for the project. These fees will pay for approximately 58 percent of the costs, with donations and operating revenue covering the rest.

The plan is to deconstruct the current building beginning in 2009 and complete the one completed by 2011.

“By building a new structure, students get what they want—more space and more amenities to suit their needs in the 21st century,” Marc Kennedy, the Union’s communications director, said. UW-Madison students remain a key source of input in the designs and ideas that will go into the new structure.

Among the new entertainment features included are a climbing wall, coffeehouse, art gallery, dance club and a film theater.

Mark Guthier, director of the Wisconsin Unions, said students have participated in numerous surveys to provide input.

“They have joined in on focus groups, listening sessions and campus-wide web-based surveys over the last three years to provide input as to what they want to see in the new union … all of which help to build a better sense of community for UW-Madison.”

According to Kennedy, current services housed at Union South will move to different venues on campus, including moving student photo IDs and meeting space to Memorial Union. Complete details on the relocation of programs and services will be provided for students closer to demolition.

“Ultimately, we are trying to create something that people could never imagine tearing down in 30, 80 or even 100 years,” Cornelius said.